AI Books: Are Writers Going Extinct?

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Let me start off by saying that if you want to know all the latest news (good or bad) about AI in the writing world, or the creative/art world in general, there are tons of resources out there. One of my favorites is Writer Beware, which specializes in scams and other threats to writers, and she often covers AI related news. You can also check out author Kristen Lamb’s blog—she recently wrote a post about AI. So this post is primarily my personal opinion, as well as my personal habits as a writer in a rapidly-changing world.

I do not use AI in my writing. I do not collaborate with AI to generate ideas, write text, or even polish and edit my work. (If spell-check is now considered AI then I guess I do use that, but I have never used anything more advanced than that). My books, blogs, social media posts, and newsletters are all fully and completely written by me—and all em-dashes and semi colons are my own, fully organic work, thank you very much! 😉

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My Writing Space

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Almost eight years ago, just a year after I’d moved across the country to a city I’d never been to before, I posted on my blog about my writing space. I’ve never been a lover of desks and traditional chairs, and I quickly adapted to using the sofa in my living room as my writing spot.

Now eight years later, I’ve moved again (still the same city and state, just a few miles away from where I’d been). I have a new house and a new couch, and still dislike desks and chairs, so here’s my new writing space:

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When Creativity is a Struggle

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This past year has not been a very productive one for me, as far as producing books goes. At this time last year, I’d hoped to have the second book in The Light-Whisperers of Kalevala trilogy published, or at the very least in the final stages of editing and formatting. As it stands now, I’m still wading through the first draft. 

Book writing, and creativity in general, has been a challenge for me this year. The day after Christmas last year, my family moved my elderly father into a nursing home. His Alzheimer’s made it unsafe – for him and my mom – to care for him at home. While dealing with that transition, several other members of my family had various unrelated health challenges during the first part of the year. Then in the summer I put my house up for sale. Autumn brought more changes as my father passed away and I moved into a new place that, while safe and comfortable, wasn’t quite move-in ready and thus required some time-consuming work. Other smaller things also happened this year that were surprising drains on mental energy. 

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Giving Thanks for Books

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While it’s good to practice thankfulness all the time, every day, during the month of November many people think of gratitude in a special way. It’s great to take time to focus on specific things you’re thankful for.

I have a lot to be thankful for. And in particular I’m very thankful for books.

Thankful for Books

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#BookNerdProblems – Again

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About eight and a half years ago, I wrote a blog post titled #BookNerdProblems, in which I briefly mused about the challenges of moving when you have a ton of books. Well, eight years later, I’m moving again, and this time I have even more books.

I’m moving only a few miles away this time, instead of across the country. I love my small town and the rural area where I live, and I’m moving out of my house in town to live on my family’s acreage. I’m looking forward to it, except for the actual moving part of it. I’m also moving to a smaller house, so downsizing is a must.

Downsizing my collection of books is of course not acceptable, so getting rid of furniture, clothing, knick-knacks, and other stuff is what I’m working on right now. Writing on my current manuscript has unfortunately taken a back seat, as well, but I’m still plugging away at it.

Stay tuned to this blog and my social media for more updates about my (slowly progressing manuscript) and the new home for all my books!

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